James William Averill

December 19, 2007

HAMPTON — James William Averill passed away on Dec. 17, 2007.

He was born June 24, 1918, in Roanoke, Va., but soon moved to Bluefield, Va., where he resided for 34 years. He graduated from Graham High School with his classmate and good friend, Bill Dudley. He graduated from McLean Business College in Bluefield, W.Va. He then served in World War II. After that, he began his banking career and served as Vice President of the Bank of Amelia from 1953 to 1956. From 1956 to 1960 he was manager of Peoples Finance Company in Lexington, Va., where he was instrumental in the establishment of the Lexington-Buena Vista Credit Union and served as president for two years. In 1960, he became Vice President of the Bank of Victoria. He served on the Board of Directors of the bank for 24 years. He retired from, what eventually became, the Bank of America in 1982. He served as President of the Board after retirement. He was a 39-year resident of Victoria, Va.

Jim was a member of Victoria United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and served as treasurer for 25 years. He was a member of both the Lions Club and Rotary Club for many years and served in leadership roles in both. He served as President of Southside Virginia Banker's Association; served as member of Victoria Town Council for eight years; and held the office of Mayor for two terms. He was Chairman of the Victoria Industrial Development Authority and served on the Board of the Lunenburg Health Services, Inc. for 15 years. He also served as president of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Victoria Community Center. He helped establish the Lunenburg Central High School Booster's Club and was president for two years. He has been a resident of the Devonshire since 1999 in Hampton, Va. During his life, Jim enjoyed music, sports, and was an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lena Blankenship Averill, and two brothers, Wallace Averill II and Clyde Averill. He is survived by two daughters, Linda Ventura and her husband, William, of Richmond and Donna Francis and her husband, Hunter, of Hampton; five grandchildren, Averill Trotter, Lisa Parsons, and James William Ventura of Richmond, Alison Sheppard of Yorktown and Catherine Francis of Newport News; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Victoria Methodist Church. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Victoria.